If you live in Wales, you can get a free NHS examination if:

• You’re aged under 16
• You’re aged 16, 17 or 18 and are in full-time education
• You’re aged 60 or over
• You’re registered as partially sighted (sight impaired) or blind (severely sight impaired)
• You’ve been diagnosed with diabetes or glaucoma
• You’ve been advised by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) that you’re at risk of glaucoma
• You’re on certain benefits:- Income Support, Income related Employment and Support Allowance, Tax Credit, Income Based Jobseekers Allowance
• If you are on a low income, you may be able to get help with the cost of sight tests, glasses and contact lenses through the NHS Low Income Scheme.

Under the eye health examination Wales (EHEW) most optometrists can also offer you a free eye test if:

• You have an eye problem that needs urgent attention
• You have sight in one eye only
• You’re registered as sight impaired
• You have a hearing impairment & are profoundly deaf
• You suffer from retinitis pigmentosa.
• You are of Black or Asian ethnicity
• You are at risk of eye disease because you are the genetic father, mother, sibling or child of someone with an eye disease that can be inherited, such as Glaucoma, Diabetes, Age related Macular Degeneration or Retinitis Pigmentosa
• Your GP has referred you because they think you may have an eye problem